Tightrope device

ABSTRACT

A stout rope is glued or otherwise fastened in a groove atop the upper edge of a support rail which is about 6 inches high and an inch more or less in cross section. The lower edge of the support rail is retentively but removably seated in keeper notches provided in upper edge portions of longitudinally spaced transverse footlike blocks.

United States Patent 72] inventor Guthrie B. Stone Honeoye, N.Y. 14471 [21] Appl. No. 748,353 [22] Filed July 29, 1968 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [54} TIGHTROPE DEVICE 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 272/60 [51] Int. Cl A631) 23/04 [50] Field 01 Search 272/60, 21, 25, 57, 59, 62; 273/52, 37, 136

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,532 5/1926 Hamblin 273/37UX 3,366,381 1/1968 Ross 272/59 7 3,485,493 12/1969 Pitkanen 272/60X Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner--Richard Dror Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A stout rope is glued or otherwise fastened in a groove atop the upper edge of a support rail which is about 6 inches high and an inch more or less in cross section. The lower edge of the support rail is retentively but removably seated in keeper notches provided in upper edge portions of longitudinally spaced transverse footlike blocks.

PATENTEU M2519?! Guthrie 8. Stone IN VI'IN'IOK. 4015' Anomq:

rrcrr'rnora DEVICE This invention relates to a structurally and functionally novel simulated tightrope which lends itself to practical use indoors or outdoors and has to do with a suitably elongated block-supported rail or support member whose upper edge is grooved and provided with an attached stout rope, more particularly, a uniquely taut tightrope.

Briefly, the innovation disclosed and hereinafter fully described is characterized by a support member, a simulated tightrope stretched atop the ridge or upper edge of the support member, and foundation blocks which are attached to and reliably retain said support member in a stable position. The support member is preferably made up of two or more wooden boards having abutting ends hingedly joined whereby said member can be folded for compact and convenient handling, shipping and storing. The rope is glued, nailed or suitably mounted in a groove which is commensurate in length with the length of the support member. This rope is amply stout and proportional with the support member. The support member is preferably but not necessarily made up of at least two pine or equivalent wooden boards which can be and usually are about 6 inches high and an inch or so in cross-sectional dimensron.

Experience has shown that the structural adaptation herein set forth is such that it enthusiastically appeals to all age groups for the reason that it offers a challenge to all persons who have used it particularly in that it promotes amusement, is sufficient for exercising needs and facilitates achievement of poise and balancing skill. From a structural standpoint it is of the utmost in simplicity as is evident from the proceeding brief resume of the preferred embodiment. lt obviates the need for and cost of special supporting elements required in prior art adaptations to hold the rope tight by applied tension.

The fact that the device is foldable results in the provision of a support member or rail of maximum length indoors or outdoors. This compact and convenient feature is desirable in that it will comply with postal department requirements for mailing and other handling requirements. The adoption and use of a sectional rail of the type shown promotes safety and permits practical use of three centrally notched elevating and surface-contacting blocks. These blocks plus the inherent flexible properties of the wooden support member offer stability when used on carpets or uneven floors or irregular ground or foundation surfaces.

Although it is within the purview of the invention to use separate rope components atop the grooved hingedly joined boards it is preferred that a single rope should be employed and stretched from end-to-end and which while stout nevertheless folds with the hinge without interfering with the desired folding step. No terminal end connections or tensioning devices or loops are required inasmuch as the rope is not under tension. The rope is amply small in cross section and yet suitably stout so that it can be utilized by participants in bare feet or with slippers or shoes on. Then, too, the hinge is of requisite size to promote the provision of an amply rigid supporting beam sufficiently strong for the purposes intended whether or not the center supporting block is exactly under the hinge or proximal thereto.

It is within the purview of the invention to use several centrally notched supporting blocks which constitute feet and which make the overall structure self-standing. Also, the underneath edges of the blocks can be cut out for clearance purposes or, alternatively, may be provided with nonskid pads to facilitate self-standing needs. The fact that no bolts, screws'or special fasteners are necessary obviates the necessity of having to resort to the use of tools for assembling or dismantling as the case may be.

The support member, be it of one-piece or sectional construction, is of a cross-sectional dimension conformable with the cross-sectional dimension of the rope and hence there are no outstanding projections or obstructions on the support member sides that would prove out to be hazardous to users. Nor are there any recesses, holes, or sharp-edged surfaces to cope with in case of accidental slippage of the users feet. in fact, the blocks can have rounded edges and corners (not detailed) to minimize danger to careless users.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a simulated tightrope device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and showing the manner in which the same is assembled and set up for use.

FIG. 2 is also a view in perspective showing the sections, that is the individual companion boards folded for handling or storage and showing, at the right, one of the base blocks detached purely for illustration purposes.

FlG. 3 is an enlarged view taken approximately on the plane of the vertical section line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

The horizontally elongated support member is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 4. While it would be within the purview of the concept to make this member of one piece nonfolding construction it is preferably made up of a first horizontally elongated pine or equivalent wooden board 6 at the left in FIG. 1 and a corresponding companion elongated wooden board 8 which is designated as the second board. As suggested in FIG. 3 the board in each instance is approximately 6 inches in height and can and may be 1 inch more or less in cross-sectional dimension or thickness. The lower edge portions of the boards are straight and flat as denoted at 10. The vertical side faces are flat. The upper lengthwise edge portions are denoted at 12 and each edge portion is provided with a shallow open-ended groove for reception of a cooperating portion of the attached rope 14. The rope could be of two lengths but it is preferably of one piece as suggested in FIG. 1. The lower segmental portion (FIG. 3) is seated in the groove and held by adhesive media 16. It is within the purview of the invention to use embedded headed nails or equivalent fasteners 18. ln other words, either glue, nails or equivalent fasteners may be employed for applying the rope in a taut state and securing it in the groove with its ends flush with the outer end portions 20 of the respective boards 6 and 8. It may be stated here that it is within the purview of this invention to construe the support member as a single elongate board, two or more boards, a single. or sectional beam or an appropriate rail. In the adaptation shown the adjacent cooperating end portions 22 (see FIG. 2) are arranged in aligned abutting relationship and secured by a hinge 24 having leaves 26 nailed or otherwise secured in place in the manner suggested in FlG. l.

The readily attachable, detachable and shiftably slidable footlike blocks are alike and each block, of wood or other material is denoted by the numeral 28. The block is at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of the board to which it is attached. The lower edge is straight across as a general rule as denoted at 30 in FIG. 3. On the other hand, it is permissible here to notch out or cut out a portion as at 32 (shown in dotted lines) to provide spaced supports on the bottom to accommodate irregular surfaces. It is also permissible to use antiskid pads 34 which are attached in the manner shown. The upper median edge portion 36 of each block is provided with a central properly proportioned keeper notch 38 which aptly fits the bottom edge of the board when fitted therein in the manner illustrated.

By grooving hard pine boards the rope is easily attached and securely held in place. Using this arrangement provides a stable rope condition without the need to provide a rugged or heavy structure to actually tighten the rope in a manner suitable to actually walk on.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is as follows:

1. A simulated portable and foldable tightrope device capable of use indoors or outdoors comprising a support member embodying a first horizontally elongated wooden board, a second horizontally elongated wooden board like said first board, said boards being rectangular in cross section and having upper and lower longitudinal edges, the lower edges being straight and flat from end-to-end, the upper edges having like open-ended grooves, adjacent inner ends of said boards abutting each other and being foldably joined by operatively attached hinge means, a stout length of rope seated in said grooves and secured to said boards and bridging the joint at the hingedly connected inner ends of said boards, a plurality of longitudinally spaced surface engaging and elevating blocks for said support member, said blocks being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the respectively cooperable boards and having upper edges each provided with a centrally located keeper notch, the lower edges of said boards being snugly but removably seated in cooperating ones of said keeper notches.

2. The simulated tightrope device defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said blocks are identical and shiftably adjustable along the respectively cooperable boards.

3. For physical development use indoors or outdoors, a portable simulated tightrope device through the medium of which the user can attain amusement, achieve poised balance skill and exercise comprising, in combination, an elongated portable support member embodying elevated elongated end to-end coplanar duplicate sections having adjacent inner ends united by complemental hinge means, said hinge means permitting said sections to be folded together in compact relationship for convenient handling, carrying and out of the way storing, said sections having upper and lower longitudinal edges, the lower edges being straight and flat from end-to-end,

the upper edges having like open-ended grooves, said grooves providing seating and supporting ridge for a rope, a single length of rope comparable in length to the overall length of said sections when in use, a lower longitudinal edge portion of said rope being retentively seated and secured in said grooves and having terminal free ends which are flush with the cor responding outer ends of said sections, and a plurality of readily attachable and detachable support member elevating and retaining blocks.

4. For physical development use indoors or outdoors, a portable simulated tightrope device through the medium of which a user can attain amusement, achieve poised balancing skill, and exercise comprising: an elongated portable support member which is stable when it is properly placed for use atop a floor, the ground or equivalent support surface, said support member being elevated and supported by a plurality of readily attachable and detachable blocks and having an upper lengthwise edge which when is use is disposed in a horizontal plane above the level of said support surface, said support member embodying elongated end-to-end coplanar sections having adjacent ends united by complemental hinge means, said hinge means permitting said sections to be folded together in compact relationship for convenient handling, carrying and out-of-the-way storing, said sections being of limited vertical cross-sectional dimension, the upper edges of said sections being provided with an open-ended elongated groove of a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, said groove providing a seating and supporting ridge for a rope, and a single length of rope comparable in length to the overall length of said sections when in use, said rope being amply stout that it can be satisfactorily traversed either barefooted or with slippers or shoes on, and a significant lower longitudinal edge portion of said rope being retcntively seated and secured in said groove. 

1. A simulated portable and foldable tightrope device capable of use indoors or outdoors comprising a support member embodying a first horizontally elongated wooden board, a second horizontally elongated wooden board like said first board, said boards being rectangular in cross section and having upper and lower longitudinal edges, the lower edges being straight and flat from end-to-end, the upper edges having like open-ended grooves, adjacent inner ends of said boards abutting each other and being foldably joined by operatively attached hinge means, a stout length of rope seated in said grooves and secured to said boards and bridging the joint at the hingedly connected inner ends of said boards, a plurality of longitudinally spaced surface engaging and elevating blocks for said support member, said blocks being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the respectively cooperable boards and having upper edges each provided with a centrally located keeper notch, the lower edges of said boards being snugly but removably seated in cooperating ones of said keeper notches.
 2. The simulated tightrope device defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said blocks are identical and shiftably adjustable along the respectively cooperable boards.
 3. For physical development use indoors or outdoors, a portable simulated tightrope device through the medium of which the user can attain amusement, achieve poised balance skill and exercise comprising, in combination, an elongated portable support member embodying elevated elongated end-to-end coplanar duplicate sections having adjacent inner ends united by complemental hinge means, said hinge means permitting said sections to be folded together in compact relationship for convenient handling, carrying and out of the way storing, said sections having upper and lower longitudinal edges, the lower edges being straight and flat from end-to-end, the upper edges having like open-ended grooves, said grooves providing seating and supporting ridge for a rope, a single length of rope comparable in length to the overall length of said sections when in use, a lower longitudinal edge portion of said rope being retentively seated and secured in said grooves and having terminal free ends which are flush with the corresponding outer ends of said sections, and a plurality of readily attachable and detachable support member elevating and retaining blocks.
 4. For physical development use indoors or outdoors, a portable simulated tightrope device through the medium of which a user can attain amusement, achieve poised balancing skill, and exercise comprising: an elongated portable support member which is stable when it is properly placed for use atop a floor, the ground or equivalent support surface, said support member being elevated and supported by a plurality of readily attachable and detachable blocks and having an upper lengthwise edge which when is use is disposed in a horizontal plane above the level of said support surface, said support member embodying elongated end-to-end coplanar sections having adjacent ends united by complemental hinge means, said hinge means permitting said sections to be folded together in compact relationship for convenient handling, carrying and out-of-the-way storing, said sections being of limited vertical cross-sectional dimension, the upper edges of said sections being provided with an open-ended elongated groove of a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, said groove providing a seating and supporting ridge for a rope, and a single length of rope comparable in length to the overall length of said sections when in use, said rope being amply stout that it can be satisfactorily traversed either barefooted or with slippers or shoes on, and a significant lower longitudinal edge portion of said rope being retentively seated and secured in said groove. 